Family identifies Choteau man as avalanche victim

Eric Greyn of Choteau has been identified by family members as the man who died in an avalanche Saturday in the Teton Pass area.

Greyn’s family gave the following statement to MTN:

The family would like to thank all of the first responders, medical personnel and community members for their response to this tragedy. Their tireless efforts are appreciated beyond words by all of the family. The love, care and concern shown by everyone involved means so much to us. We politely request that the privacy of the family be respected as we mourn the loss of our loved one.

A searcher involved in Saturday’s recovery told MTN a party of four snowmobilers was traveling in the South Waldron Creek area when a large slide was triggered. Two of the snowmobilers were involved in the slide.

Searchers added they were experienced snowmobilers who were riding in a popular area about 40 minutes from Teton Canyon Road.

On Sunday, some search party members reconvened along with avalanche experts from the Flathead Avalanche Center to begin an investigation into how the avalanche unfolded.

Teton County Search and Rescue Cmdr. Ben Rhodes said more than 30 people responded to the Teton Pass area to aid in the search after the emergency call came in at about 4:11 p.m. Saturday, according to the Choteau Acantha.

Emergency responders included the Teton County Search and Rescue Unit, county deputies, the Montana Highway Patrol, the U.S. Forest Service law enforcement officer, the Fairfield Fire Department’s technical rescue team, the Choteau ambulance crew and members of the Choteau Volunteer Fire Department.